Caring for Your Laminate Wood Floors

You’ve spent good money on your floor and want it to last as long as possible.

How to Clean

Believe it or not, all you need is a simple dry mop to get up most of the dust and dirt (and pet hair if you have pets). Then use a vacuum cleaner to clean out the edges and any crevices. Do not use the crevice attachment. Always use the softest brush available.

For a web cleaner, you can make a solution of one part vinegar to one part water or one part each vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water. These cleaners dry spot free and fairly quickly if you work on one small spot at a time. Don’t use cleaners for linoleum, hardwood floors or tile as they’ll leave a dull finish.

Keep some of the homemade cleaner in a spray bottle for spot cleaning.

And never use wood polish because it will dull the finish and create a very slick and unsafe area for walking on.

Preventative Maintenance

Dirt is the big enemy of all wood flooring including laminate because it can scratch and gouge the finish. Put wipe mats at every entrance to your home to cut down on the dirt tracked in.

Put felt protector pads under the feet of furniture.

If you have furniture with castors, place a rug underneath or invest in fabric backed caster cups.

Always lift furniture, and never drag.

Reposition furniture, even slightly, occasionally to prevent the pressure from causing dents.

Clean up any liquid that spills as soon as possible.

If you live in an area that gets a wide range of humidity, look into a humidifier to maintain the humidity. This prevents the planks from buckling or gaping.

Monitor sunshine, and use sheers, or window shades to prevent the fading of the wood.

Repairing Laminate Flooring

Minor scrapes and gouges can be repaired with commercially available touch up kits that have silicon filler and colored wax sticks.

Remove stains with care. Always use a soft cloth. If you need to scrape off material, use a rubber spatula. Check with your manufacturer for their recommended method for removing tough stains like paint, nail polish, ink, etc.

If you have major damage, you may need to replace several planks or tiles. If you don’t have any leftover from the installation, try to match the same manufacturer to have a more consistent look.